Vehicle docking device using sensor matrix
First Claim
1. A vehicle docking device for assisting the driver of a towing vehicle in positioning a hitch ball of the towing vehicle relative to a towing hitch of a trailer to be towed, said vehicle docking device comprising in combination:
- a. a matrix of sensors spaced apart from one another and disposed in a substantially common plane, said matrix of sensors being arranged to lie substantially in a plurality of rows and columns, said plurality of columns lying substantially perpendicular to said plurality of rows, said matrix having a center point, each of said sensors being adapted to generate an electrical signal when activated;
b. mounting means for securing said matrix of sensors proximate said hitch ball and for positioning the common plane of said matrix of sensors in a substantially horizontal plane;
c. activator means for activating a selected one of said sensors when said activator means is substantially aligned with said selected sensor;
d. support means for supporting said activator means in a predetermined position relative to said towing hitch, said predetermined position being aligned with the center point of said matrix of sensors when said hitch ball is aligned with said towing hitch;
e. a matrix of indicators for being viewed by the driver of the towing vehicle, said matrix of indicators being arranged to lie substantially in a plurality of rows and columns, said plurality of columns lying substantially perpendicular to said plurality of rows, each of said indicators being responsive to the electrical signal generated by a corresponding one of said sensors for providing a visual indication to the driver when the corresponding sensor is activated; and
f. means for electrically coupling said matrix of indicators to said matrix of sensors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle docking device includes a matrix of sensors arranged in a planar array of rows and columns spaced apart from one another. The matrix of sensors is mounted proximate the hitch ball of the towing vehicle in a horizontal plane. An activator is supported in a predetermined position relative to the towing hitch of the vehicle to be towed for activating one of the sensors closest thereto. The activator is positioned to be directed at the center point of the sensor matrix when the hitch ball is directly under the towing hitch. The sensor matrix is electrically coupled to a corresponding array of indicators disposed near the driver of the towing vehicle. Each indicator is associated with a corresponding sensor. By observing the array of indicators, the driver can determine whether the hitch ball and towing hitch are aligned, or in what direction correction is required.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A vehicle docking device for assisting the driver of a towing vehicle in positioning a hitch ball of the towing vehicle relative to a towing hitch of a trailer to be towed, said vehicle docking device comprising in combination:
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a. a matrix of sensors spaced apart from one another and disposed in a substantially common plane, said matrix of sensors being arranged to lie substantially in a plurality of rows and columns, said plurality of columns lying substantially perpendicular to said plurality of rows, said matrix having a center point, each of said sensors being adapted to generate an electrical signal when activated; b. mounting means for securing said matrix of sensors proximate said hitch ball and for positioning the common plane of said matrix of sensors in a substantially horizontal plane; c. activator means for activating a selected one of said sensors when said activator means is substantially aligned with said selected sensor; d. support means for supporting said activator means in a predetermined position relative to said towing hitch, said predetermined position being aligned with the center point of said matrix of sensors when said hitch ball is aligned with said towing hitch; e. a matrix of indicators for being viewed by the driver of the towing vehicle, said matrix of indicators being arranged to lie substantially in a plurality of rows and columns, said plurality of columns lying substantially perpendicular to said plurality of rows, each of said indicators being responsive to the electrical signal generated by a corresponding one of said sensors for providing a visual indication to the driver when the corresponding sensor is activated; and f. means for electrically coupling said matrix of indicators to said matrix of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification